There are currently many choices in IP cameras for those looking to monitor their homes and business locations. Anandtech recently reviewed one such camera, the Dropcam Echo, which was geared towards the non technical consumer. Today we are looking at an IP camera offering from Compro Technologies which hopes to provide advanced features for small businesses and technical home users, while still paying close attention to the ease of installation for the end user.

First off, some information about Compro Technology Inc, as many readers may not have heard of them and they are trying to enter the US market just now.

Compro was Originally founded in 1988, based out of Taipei, Taiwan. Compro manufactures PC-TV, digital audio/video and IP security products for the IT consumer markets. They have been developing PC based TV tuners and data broadcast receiver products since 2003. However they have just recently in 2008 released consumer oriented analog/digital TV tuner products that some of you may be familiar with. Compro's IP security products include a full range of IP camera types from static ones to full PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) offerings with high resolution.

Today we are looking at Compro's mid-range PTZ (Pan-Tilt- Zoom) IP Camera, the IP540. The Compro IP540 lists the following as key features of the product.

1/3" CMOS Megapixel progressive scan sensor

Pan, Tilt, 4x digital zoom (Pan of 340 degrees, Tilt of 100 degrees)

Day and night functionality with mechanical IR cut filter switching

Built-in IR lamps

Supports real-time H.264, MPEG-4 and MJPEG compression (Triple Codec)

Supports dual streams simultaneously

Image frame rate is up to 15 frames per second at 1280x1024 resolution

I understand :) This is only our 2nd IP camera review. Look for a roundup towards the later part of the year.

Right now, there are two options which we have used and tested :

1. Dropcam Echo : Perfect for the AnandTech readers' parents and those who don't want to read up manuals and documentation. Cost : $279 ; has cloud based support, easy sharing with friends by email address with sharing settings as private or public for a given time duration (all the stuff that comes in with cloud based services)

2. Compro IP540 : Perfect for the tech users who don't want to trust their security to the cloud. More business oriented compared to the Dropcam. Cost : $200Reply

Congrats compro for this major coup. :) However, activex support seems a little...quaint these days.

Cameron Butterfield, what about reviewing these DVR-like systems that uses analog cameras? They seem to provide a ton of channels, record to hdd, etc, for a very affordable price. Like $300 for a 4 way system with recording capability.Reply

Although there is obviously username/password protection on the interface, this camera does not currently support encryption on the stream, compro plans to offer https connection in future professional camera lines starting Q1 2011.Reply